Acetylene-generator.



Y 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTBD FEB. 21, 1905.

N. GOODYEAR.

ACETYLENB GENERATOR. APPLIOATION'HLED JAN. 21. 1904.

PATENTED FEB. 2l, 1905.

N. GOODYEAR. AGETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTBD PEB. 21. 1905.

N. GOODYEAR.

AGETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 21, 1904.

No. 783,193. Patented February 21, 1905.

TNTTEO STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

NELSON GOODYEAR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO J. B. COLT OOM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ACETYLENE-GiENEPATOFl.

SPECIFIC ATION forming part'of` Letters Patent No. 783,193, dated February 21, 1905. v Application filed anuary 21, 1904. Serial No. 189,950.

Tf1 f// 107mm 75 mfll/ @0N/GWW l No. 65,811, filed June 24, 1901, I have shown 50 Beit known that I, NnLsON GOODYEAR, a by way of preference a portion of the same citizen of the United States, and a resident of drawing as that illustrated in my copending the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and case. Referring to Fig. 1, the generator pref- 5 State of New York, have invented certain new erably combines an outer casing 25, within and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Genwhich is fitted a water-sealed bell 26, that carerators, of which the following is a specificaries the carbid-hopper 22. The water from tion accompanied by drawings. the generating-chamber may be fiushed out T he objects of the invention are to improve through any suitable Hush-out mechanism- 1o acetylene and similar generators and overcome such, for instance, as the cock 30 shown. The

the defects and disadvantages of many of the cock carries a sector or stop 31, which in a forms now in existence. closed position of the cock interferes with the The precise nature of the several features descent of a rod 32, having connections 33 and f that constitute the invention will be best un- 34 with the instrumentality 35, that serves to I5 derstood from the following description and secure the carbid-feeding cover 36 when enumerated in the claims. closed. This feature of the apparatus is 1t is highly desirable and, in fact, necessary claimed in the parent case, Serial No. 65,811. that means be provided whereby air is admit- The connections described have a relation to ted to the generating-chamber when water is the inventionin that it prevents the opening of zo being withdrawn therefrom and that the air the cover 36 until the flush-out cock 30 is open,

from substantially the entire gas-space be perthereby insuring the depletion of the water mitted to escape when water is being admitseal 75. The seal 7 5 might not be depleted on ted thereto. According to this invention the drawing the water from the generator if the generator is vented to the atmospheric air cover 36 had been opened first, since the valves 25 both upon charging water into the machine 50 and 60 do not always make a tight joint and upon flushing out. with their seat. From the stirrup 38 a rod 67 7 5 Further objects o f the invention will hereand connection 66 extend, connected to operinafter appear; and to these ends the-invenatea downwardly-extending rod 65. (Shown tion consists of apparatus for carrying 'out the broken away.) This device is adapted to form 3o above objects embodying the features of con'- an interlock with the carbid-feeding mechanstruction, combinations of elements, and arism, as fully set forth in my prior application, SO rangement of parts having the general mode Serial N o. 65,811, theinterlocking'connections of operation substantially as hereinafter' fully being omitted in this case, as they form no described and claimed in this specification, part of the present invention. The carbid- 3 5 and shown in the accompanying drawings, in hopperl has preferably a converging bottom,

which as shown. A duplex carbid-feeding' valve is 85 Figure 1 is a sectional View of a generator provided, the inner member 50 of which is opembodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an elevaerated by a lever 51, fulcrumed in the hopper. tion of a modified form of generator for car- Surrounding the valve 50 is an annular valve 40 rying out the invention. Fig. 3 is a" plan view or sto p 60, which has a lost-motion connection lof Fig. 2, partly in section. Fig. 4: is a verwith the valve 50, so that the rise. of said valve 90 tical sectional view of Fig. `2. Fig. 5 is a de- 50 beyond a small limit will raise the valve60 tail view of one of the interlocking connecand allow the carbid to feed, and, conversely, tions shown in Fig. 4:. in closing the valve 60 will first scat itself and 45 In Fig. 1 asuitable form of generator is illusthen the valve 5() will descend and seat itself.

trated, to which the invention is applied. This The valves and the lever 51 are inclosed within 9 5 application in so far as Fig. 1 is concerned a casing, which is preferably roof -shapcd, and the description thereof being in part a above the lever 51, as shown in the figures, division of my copending application, Serial and which extend down around the valves in a way to prevent the entire mass of carbid pressing down upon the valves and interfering with their operation. There is provided a safety valve or stop 70, mounted to swing under and cut off the'feeding of carbid from the hopper when free to move, but normally held in cooperative position, as shown in Fig. 1, by a detent 31, connected as shown, to be supported by a iioat 73. If for any reason the water-level within the generator is forced either by an excess of gas-pressure or the drawing off of the water, vthe fall of the float 73 draws down the detent 71 and releases the safety valve or stop 70, causing it to swing beneath the valve-opening and prevent any feeding of carbid. The gas passes from the generating-chamber to the gasometer through gas-pipe 83. In order to reduce the fiuctuations of pressure which occur by the sudden feeding of carbid within the generator, an annular space 80 of large area is provided above the generating-cham ber, into which the water may be freely forced by an excess of pressure, as indicated by the arrow 81. The space 80 therefore forms a partial reservoir into which a considerable volume of water may be forced by an excess of pressure within the generator. The water iiows back in to the generatingchamber as the excess of pressure is relieved by the escape of gas into the gasometer. In order to insure the venting of the machine both when introducing and withdrawing water, suitable means are provided in accordance with theinvention. This means, presently to be described, prevents the formation of a partial vacuum in the generator when drawing off water and also prevents air being forced into the gasometer when the generator is being filled with water. In Fig. l a special automatic trap is employed for carrying out the invention. As shown, a water-holding vessel 75 is supported somewhat above the normal water-level in the generator and substantially at the top of the generating-chamber, and into this dips and is sealed a vent-pipe 76, which communicates above with the atmosphere. Surrounding the lower end of the vent-pipe 76 is a depending sleeve 77,* which is also'Water-sealed in the receptacle 75, and it is closed gas-tight at its upper end. Assuming that the sleeve 77 extends, say, three inches down into the water within the vessel 75, air will be admitted freely to the interior of the generatorl as long as the pressure within it is reduced to three inches less than atmospheric pressure. As, however, the horizontal section of water admitted within the sleeve 77 is large as compared to the annular space intervening between the sleeve and the walls of the vessel 75, the admission of air in carryingdown the water-level within the sleeve 77 depletes the amount -of water within the y receptacle 75, so that the air may escape still the generator. As soon, however, as the water in the generator rises high enough to pour into and fill the vessel 75 it of course reestablishes the seal, because then the water will reach the foot of the air-pipe 76 and completely seal it against the escape of air or gas. Therefore it will be seen that this special trap admits air readily to the generator and also permits the escape of air while the generator is being filled with water; but as soon as the generator is filled it reestablishes the complete sealing of gas within the generator.

In Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 a diierent mode of carrying out the' invention is illustrated as a modification which has been found to operate efliciently and well. While the generator may be constructed in any suitable manner, I

4have preferably shown the same form of construction illustrated in my copending application, Serial No. 142,613, filed February 9, 1903. In this form of generator there is a partition E inside of the outer casing D, the walls of which are extended upwardly at F to form what may be termed a filling-bib, communicating with the inside of the generator by means of a downwardly-extending sleeve Gr, which forms a water seal for the stirrer rod H, suitably connected to the stirrer I. The filling-bib is partly covered over bythe top J, while a suitable hinged lid or cover K affords provision for charging the machine with water. As shown in the drawings, the neck L of the machine is supported from the partition E and extends upwardly through the top J, supporting the hopper O, within which is arranged the carbid-valve. Any suitable mechanism may be provided for operating the valve, none, however, being shown in this instance, as it forms no part of the present invention. An overflow-opening y' is provided in a suitable position on the generator and suitable pipe connections are provided leading from the generator, while a vent-pipe communicates with the outside atmosphere. The vent-pipe Z also communicates with the inside of the generator, as shown in this instance through the interposition of the piping while a vent-cock q is arranged in the vent-pipe to control the same. The lid or cover K, as shown, is provided with a hinged pivot-rod fr at one side,

(best shown in Fig. 4,) while at the other side said cover is connected to the vent cock or valve g, whereby in opening and closing the cover K the valve q will be operated. Any suitable means maybe provided for operatively connecting' the lid or cover K to the valve q, as shown, the lid K being provided with a socket .5', intowhich lits a squared projection t on the valve. The arrangement of the lilling cover or lid K, operatively connected with the vent Q, insures the ventingof the-machine when introducingwater into the v same, because when the lid is opened the ventroo IIO

cock is opened. In order to insure the venting of the machine when water is being withdrawn, in this instance, as shown in the drawings, interlocking connections are provided, including' the cover K and operatively connecting the vent and the Hush-out. The flushl out or lime-gate u, as shown, is provided with an upwardly-extending rod o, the upper end of which extends within the socket w for the hinged pivot 'l' of the lid K. The pivot r is provided with a iiattened or recessed portion fr, which moves into such position when the lid K is opened that the rod c may move upwardly past said flattened portion of the pivot fr; but when the lid K is closed the rod @cannot be moved upward. According to this construction the lime-gate u cannot be opened unless the lid K is opened, and it will also be seen that the lid K is locked open as long as the lime-gate u remains open, because when the interference-rod c is moved upward past the flattened portion of the pivot '7 the lid cannot be closed again until the rod c is lowered. The object of locking the water-charging rod or cover K open in the construction described when the lime-gate is open is to prevent the drawing off of the residuum of water with the closed vent, for it will loe seen that by locking the lid K open the vent q is also locked open. Other suitable interlocking connections may be provided, if desired, between the lime-gate and the vent q without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will thus be seen that widely-diiering forms of apparatus may be provided for carrying out the leading objects of this inventione-namely, to insure the venting of the machine both when charging Water in and flushing out. In Fig. 1 a special automatic trap is shown, while in the remaining iigures positive mechanical interlocking connections are provided between a vent-cock and a flushout. Theinvention,broadlyconsidered, therefore contemplates any suitable operative means for carrying out the objects of the invention, as hereinbefore stated.

The mechanical interlocking devices herein shown and described in connection with Figs. 2. 3, el, and 5 form the specific subject-matter of some of the claims of my copending application, Serial No. 14Q,613,'filed February 9, 1903, the generic claims in this present application being applicable to both forms of apparatus shown herein, with specific claims for the subject-matter of Fig. l.

Obviously the invention may therefore be embodied in widely-varying forms Without departing from the spirit of the invention. For this reason, without enumerating any further equivalents, I claim, and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, the following:

l. ln a generator, the combination of means for venting the generator to atmospheric air, a flushing-out device, and means for charging the generator. with water, with operative means so constructed and devised, that the venting of substantially the entire gas-space of the machine .is insured both on charging in water and upon liushing out, for substantially the purposes set forth.

2. In a generator, the combination of a vent to atmospheric air situated at the top of the generating-chamber, and a Hush-out, and means for venting the machine to atmospheric air both-on charging in or withdrawing water from the machine, for substantially the purposes set forth.

3. A generator, having means for flushing out and forventing the same to atmospheric air, said vent being situated at the top of the generating-chamber, with controlling means for the vent acting to connect the machine with atmospheric air when said machine is at least partially empty and water is charged in, and also when the machine is full and water is Withdrawn therefrom for substantially the purposes set forth.

4. In a generator, the combination of means for venting the generator to atmospheric air situated at the top of the generating-chamber. a flushing-out device, and means for charging the generator withwater, with operative means so constructed and devised that provision for the venting of the machine is insured both on charging in water and upon flushing out, during the operation of charging in or flushing out, for substantially the purposes set forth.

5. In a generator, the combination of a vent to atmospheric air, and a flush-out, and automatic means for venting substantially the entire gas-space of the machine to -atmospheric air both on charging in or withdrawing water from the machine, for substantially the purposes set forth.

6. A generator, provided with means for flushing out and for venting' the same to atmospheric air, with controlling means for the vent acting to automatically connect substantially the entire gas-space of the machine with atmosplieric air when said machine is at least partially empty and Water is charged in, and also when the machine is full and water is withdrawn therefrom, for substantially the purposes set forth. Y

7. In a generator, the combination of means for venting substantially the entire height of the generator to atmospheric air,a 'll ushing-out device, and means for charging the generator with water, with operative means so constructed and devised that the machine cannot be charged with water or iiushed out without the provision of an open vent to atmospheric air, for substantially the purposes set forth.

8. In a generator for acetylene and the like, the combination of flushing-out device, watercharging device and a venting device for venting substantially the entire gas-space of the generator to atmosphere during the charging in of water, and letting in air during the liush- IOO ing ou t, provided with a means for freely opening the said vent during the said charging in and fiushing out.

9. In a generator for acetylene and the like, the combination of a flu sli-out and a means for freely venting substantially the entire height of the apparatus to atmospheric air when charging in water or withdrawing water from the machine.

l0. In a generator of the type in which a large body of waterI is employed and in combination with the water-holding receptacle thereof,means for flushing outthe apparatus, means for charging in the water, and a vent situated at the top of the water-holding receptacle and provided with means for freely admitting air when the water is flushed off and permitting air to escape when the water is charged in.

11. In a generator of the type in which a large body of water is employed and in combination with the water-holding receptacle thereof,means for iushing out the apparatus, means for charging in the water,and automatic means cooperating with the said devices for letting' in 'air when the water is flushed out and for permittingl the air from substantially the entire gas-space to escape during the charging in of the water.

12. In a generator of the type in' which a large body of water is employed and in combination with the water-holdin g receptacle there` of, means for iushing out the apparatus, means for charging in the water, and automatic means for admitting air during the flushing-out operation and permitting the air from substantially the entire gas-space to escape during the charging-in operation, provided with meansfor water-sealing the last-said means when the water reaches a predetermined height.

13. In a generator of the type in which a large body of water is employed and in combination with the water-holding receptacle thereof, means for flushing out the apparatus, means for charging in the water, and automatic means situated at the top of the water-holding receptacle for the admission and cXit of air during the flushing out and charging in of the water,

said means including a water-sealing device therefor from which water is at least partially exhausted upon the reduction of pressure within the generator beyond a predetermined limit, said means being located at a height to be replenished when the water is charged in to a predetermined height.

14. In combination in a generator for acetylene and the like, a carbid-chamber and a water-holding chamber adapted to hold a considerable body of water, means for charging ingthe water and means for iiushing it out, means for charging in the carbid and a connection or vent situated at the top of the waterholding chamber independent of the carbidcharging opening, ushing-out opening and water-supply inlet for maintaining substantially atmospheric pressure during the flushing out and charging in of the water.

15. A generator having means for fiushing out and for venting the same to atmospheric air, said vent being situated at the top of the generating-chamber, with controlling means for the vent acting' to connect the machine with atmospheric air when said machine is at Y least partially empty and water is charged in.

16. In a generator, the combination of a vent to atmospheric air situated at the top of the generating-chamber, andaiflush-out, and means for venting the machine to atmospheric air on charging in water substantially for the purposes set forth.

17. In a generator, the combination of means for ventingI the generator to atmospheric air, a iiushing-out device, and means for charging the generator with water, with operative means so constructed and devised that the venting' of substantially the entire gas-space of the machine is insured upon charging in water.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing' witnesses.

lVELSON GOODYEAR.

NVitnesses E. VAN ZANDT, A. L. OBRIEN. 

